Compression Dabbling

I've always liked to check out new technology, be it bike or apparel. Recently I've heard a lot of talk about compression clothing and how the medical community has been using the technology for years to aid patients in their recovery. I must say I was intrigued and skeptical about compression clothing. Could clothing really aid you in recovery? The idea made sense to me; a tight circular knit fabric compresses the blood vessels to stimulate blood flow and support the muscles.

So I figured why not try it out. While on my lunch break one day I engaged in a rather strenuous lower body work out prescribed by one of the CycleLife Fitness staff. After the work out I did my normal stretching routine, then put on the 2XU Recovery Leggings. With in minutes I could feel my legs feeling better. It was amazing. My legs felt like they were in a hot tub, simply relaxing. I wore the leggings for about 8 hours. The next day my legs felt fantastic, no soreness or tightness. I have now worked in compression recovery very easily into my routines and have begun to expand my use with the compression as well.

Follow Up

As I have been using the 2XU compression leggings I decided it was time to try more of the compression product. The Director of Fitness had gotten me out of my previous running shoes that offered a ton of support and tried to correct my foot to do something it would normally do naturally, a topic for a different day. The transition to racing flats had made me faster and more efficient but my calf muscles would burn because I would be using them more.

I made the decision to try the 2XU compression race socks, which made me look like a soccer player. I was a bit skeptically at first but again was quickly turned into a believer of compression while in activity. I began to use the socks more and more.

Even while running with my wife, who always had a comment about how I looked with the white socks pulled up over my calfs to me knees. She would always remind me how I look until recently her foot and calf was hurting her. It was becoming such a hindrance in her runs that I convinced her to try the compression socks. Suddenly I could never find my socks! I could only guess she fell in love with them too. I decided to let her keep my old one and I got some fresh ones for myself. Well she sees the 2XU box at home and remarks to me how nice a guy I am because I got her new socks. I did get my old ones back.